Is Vine The Future Of Social Video?

On Jan. 25, Twitter officially launched its new video-sharing platform Vine. The app, available for iPhone and iPod, sports a six-second video upload utility to readily and instantly share micro-videos. Taking after short-format sharing platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, Vine could be the next big thing in social media. Here are some predictions why:

Vine will redefine video content: Video as content has undergone growing pains as it relates to social media. Integration across channels has been a challenge with the variety of available platforms. Vine will not solve this problem altogether, but it will redefine what classifies as video content, especially from a brand perspective. Already, users are leveraging Vine to create short recipe, how-to and demonstration videos. We can expect to see a push to shorter and more informal social ads and real-time promotions on the Vine platform.

Vine will change how we consume video: While Vine may seem mundane, it offers a solid step into the future of video sharing. It is not the first instant video service, but driven by Twitter, it will experience more success than its predecessors. The style of the Vine’s almost holographic-approach allows users to consume massive amounts of video in short periods of time. The looping function provides a new landscape in information retention. Think of Vine as the potential ancestor to technology seen in Steven Spielberg’s “Minority Report.”

Vine will shift information distribution: The ability to communicate through the visual context of video sets it apart from still photography; this has been true since the invention of the motion picture. Bringing friends and family along for a vacation is no longer a far-fetched idea from a digital standpoint. News media has already begun to leverage Vine to include instant delivery of video “headlines.”

Vine will be forced to adapt: Vine is brand new, but it will likely suffer from social media burnout of a sort. Expect a sharp increase in use over the next several months, and then a steady decline as users struggle to remain innovative with their content. Brands that discover the potential of the platform will likely continue to use it and guide the innovation as Vine moves forward.

The social media landscape and content distribution models are changing rapidly. Services such as Vine offer a glimpse into the future of how information will integrate with our social lives. At least six seconds of it.

Have you tried Vine yet? What do you think of its potential? Tell us in the comments below, or tweet your responses using the hashtag #mcgblog.